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Communities in West Virginia offer residents a welcoming atmosphere, affordable cost of living, and a strong sense of connection to nature and neighbors alike. From charming small towns to vibrant cities like Charleston and Morgantown, West Virginia communities provide friendly neighborhoods, excellent schools, and access to outdoor recreation right at your doorstep. Residents enjoy a slower pace of life, surrounded by the state’s beautiful mountains, rivers, and forests, as well as rich local culture, historic sites, and community events that bring people together.

 

With safe streets, local businesses, and a true spirit of Appalachian hospitality, living in West Virginia communities means enjoying a high quality of life and a supportive, tight-knit environment where everyone feels at home. Be sure to visit our Communities Travel Guide for information about communities in West Virginia.

A growing number of people are turning to AI chatbots for conversations about stress, anxiety and other mental health concerns. West Virginia University researchers say the technology can support education but should not replace trained mental health professionals.
Communities

More people are using ChatGPT for mental health. Researchers say it can’t replace a psychiatrist

by Clyde Craig

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Millions of people now turn to artificial intelligence chatbots with questions they once reserved for therapists, doctors, or close friends. They ask about anxiety, depression, loneliness, and even suicidal thoughts, often because the technology is available instantly and without the cost or wait of a traditional appointment. Two researchers at West Virginia … Read more

August wildflowers in West Virginia: A butterfly feeds on blooming goldenrod during peak wildflower season in West Virginia. Goldenrod is among the state's most abundant late-summer native wildflowers, providing an important source of nectar for butterflies, bees, and other pollinators as autumn approaches. (Photo courtesy Michael Barrick)
Communities

Peak summer wildflowers are blooming across West Virginia; Where to find them this August

by Bianca Bosworth

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — For many travelers, spring gets all the attention when it comes to wildflowers. Yet some of West Virginia’s most spectacular wildflowers don’t arrive until summer is nearly over. As August settles across the Mountain State, hillsides, mountain meadows, wetlands, and stream banks burst with a final wave of color. Brilliant reds, deep … Read more

A couple enjoys the cool shade of a West Virginia forest during a summer hike. The state's high elevations, dense woodlands and frequent passages of cool Canadian air often create refreshing conditions that have drawn travelers to the mountains for generations.
Communities

Why summer heat never lasts in West Virginia and why travelers have loved it for generations

by Clyde Craig

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Every summer,  the cool morning arrives almost like clockwork. After days of sticky afternoons, something changes. Thunderstorms rumble across the mountains, the wind shifts, and the following morning, windows are open again. Front porches fill with coffee drinkers. Campgrounds stir earlier than usual. Visitors who expected another sweltering July day discover that … Read more

An aerial view of the historic Pence Springs Hotel in Summers County, W.Va., shows the former mineral springs resort surrounded by the forests and rolling hills that made it one of Appalachia's best-known mountain retreats. The 138-acre property is now being offered for sale through Foxfire Realty.
Communities

One of America’s forgotten mineral springs resorts is for sale and awaiting its next chapter

by Bianca Bosworth

PENCE SPRINGS, W.Va. — Across the United States, historic hotels are finding new life. Grand railroad resorts have become boutique inns. Former sanatoriums have reopened as wellness retreats. Long-forgotten landmarks are being restored for a new generation of travelers seeking authentic stories rather than manufactured experiences. In the mountains of southern West Virginia, one of … Read more

A kayaker paddles through a spectacular bloom of pink water lilies at Plum Orchard Lake Wildlife Management Area near Pax, one of southern West Virginia's most peaceful paddling destinations. The 202-acre lake is known for its quiet coves, excellent fishing and abundant wildlife.
Communities

Hidden New River Gorge lake, Plum Orchard welcomes visitors after $1.2 million makeover

by Will Reedy

PAX, W.Va. — Millions of travelers visit the New River Gorge each year, but relatively few discover nearby Plum Orchard Lake, a quiet mountain retreat where anglers, paddlers and campers trade crowds for calm water and forested shorelines. Now, more than $1.2 million in improvements is making one of southern West Virginia’s hidden outdoor destinations … Read more

Tourists arrive at the historic Elkins passenger station, a gateway to the Monongahela National Forest and one of the communities participating in the Mon Forest Towns partnership. A new West Virginia University study is helping rural destinations balance tourism growth with the needs of local residents.
Communities

WVU researchers help tourism communities grow without losing what makes them special

by David Sibray

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — As tourism continues to reshape rural communities across Appalachia, researchers at West Virginia University in Morgantown are helping local leaders answer a difficult question: How can towns welcome more visitors without sacrificing the qualities that make people want to live there? A new study led by West Virginia University Extension found that … Read more

A child sits alone while coping with the loss of a loved one. About one in seven West Virginia children will experience the death of a parent or sibling before age 18, highlighting the need for grief support programs such as Camp Erin West Virginia. (Photo: Getty Images)
Communities

One in seven West Virginia children lose a parent or sibling. A free camp wants to help

by Clyde Craig

MARTINSBURG, W.VA. — For many West Virginia children, grief arrives far earlier than most people imagine. About one in seven children in the Mountain State will experience the death of a parent or sibling before reaching adulthood—the second-highest rate in the nation. Behind that statistic are thousands of young people navigating profound loss while trying … Read more